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243 or 25-06 for mule deer #9434086 12/18/14 Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 458 Palo Pinto county TX S Smokewagon OP Campfire Member OP Smokewagon Campfire Member S Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 458 Palo Pinto county TX I am going to west Texas to hunt mule deer which caliber would you take 243 or 25-06 . I have killed a lot of deer with my 243 and one with my 25-06 since buying it last year. I like both so I don't care which one I take just as long as it does the job.

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Smokewagon #9434099 12/18/14 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky Flip a coin.... "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer ingwe #9434210 12/18/14 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 42,005 Likes: 2 Huntn/Fishn Heaven-NW Ontario New_2_99s Campfire 'Bwana New_2_99s Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 42,005 Likes: 2 Huntn/Fishn Heaven-NW Ontario What the "old" retired guy said ! Paul. "Kids who grow up hunting, fishing & trapping, do not mug little old Ladies"

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer New_2_99s #9434233 12/18/14 Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 6,875 Likes: 1 s.tex R RIO7 Campfire Tracker RIO7 Campfire Tracker R Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 6,875 Likes: 1 s.tex Take the .243 and some good hunting boots, your going to need them both. rio7

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Smokewagon #9434248 12/18/14 Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 3,424 MN B bucktail Campfire Tracker bucktail Campfire Tracker B Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 3,424 MN The 243 is more proven; take the -06 for backup If you love someone set them free If they come back no one else liked them Set them free again

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Smokewagon #9434267 12/18/14 Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 43,890 Likes: 7 Hi-Line SamOlson Campfire 'Bwana SamOlson Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 43,890 Likes: 7 Hi-Line Originally Posted by Smokewagon I am going to west Texas to hunt mule deer which caliber would you take 243 or 25-06 . I have killed a lot of deer with my 243 and one with my 25-06 since buying it last year. I like both so I don't care which one I take just as long as it does the job. What bullets? If bullets are similar then like Poobs says, coin toss.

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer bucktail #9434285 12/18/14 Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,723 Baker, MT L laker Campfire Tracker laker Campfire Tracker L Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,723 Baker, MT Originally Posted by bucktail The 243 is more proven; take the -06 for backup More proven?

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer laker #9434292 12/18/14 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,138 Likes: 9 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,138 Likes: 9 Banana Belt, Montana Maybe because it's been a factory round 14 years longer than the .243? Though I have heard some people used the .25-06 before Remington "introduced" it in 1969.... “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Mule Deer #9434318 12/18/14 Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 8,780 WNY L Lawdwaz Campfire Outfitter Lawdwaz Campfire Outfitter L Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 8,780 WNY Originally Posted by Mule Deer Maybe because it's been a factory round 14 years longer than the .243? Though I have heard some people used the .25-06 before Remington "introduced" it in 1969.... Here is the OP's statement......."I have killed a lot of deer with my 243 and one with my 25-06 since buying it last year." THAT could be the reason why someone has said it is "more proven". It is what the OP is probably most comfortable and confident with, I'd bet. Last edited by Lawdwaz; 12/18/14.

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Lawdwaz #9434331 12/18/14 Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 43,890 Likes: 7 Hi-Line SamOlson Campfire 'Bwana SamOlson Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 43,890 Likes: 7 Hi-Line One would have to step up to the all-time best in order to see a noticeable difference in power. And of course I'm speaking of the 270 Winchester.

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer SamOlson #9434360 12/18/14 Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 458 Palo Pinto county TX S Smokewagon OP Campfire Member OP Smokewagon Campfire Member S Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 458 Palo Pinto county TX 243 I use winchester 100 PSP and my 25-06 I use 117 grain Hornandy SST.

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Smokewagon #9434372 12/18/14 Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 43,890 Likes: 7 Hi-Line SamOlson Campfire 'Bwana SamOlson Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 43,890 Likes: 7 Hi-Line I'd actually feel more comfortable with the 100 grain soft point over the 117 SST in 25-06. At least up close. Didn't some people have trouble with SST's 'blowing up' with too much speed/close range? Maybe it was just an internet story.

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer SamOlson #9434381 12/18/14 Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky ingwe Campfire Oracle ingwe Campfire Oracle Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 Southwestern Montucky If its on the internet, it has to be true. "...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Smokewagon #9434408 12/18/14 Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 27,692 Western NC hillbillybear Campfire Ranger hillbillybear Campfire Ranger Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 27,692 Western NC Originally Posted by Smokewagon I am going to west Texas to hunt mule deer which caliber would you take 243 or 25-06 . I have killed a lot of deer with my 243 and one with my 25-06 since buying it last year. I like both so I don't care which one I take just as long as it does the job. Can you shoot worth a damn? If so, the mule deer won't care he will be dead no matter which one you use. Member: Clan of the Turdlike People. Courage is Fear that has said its Prayers �If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.� Ronald Reagan.

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Smokewagon #9434582 12/18/14 Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 29,645 Likes: 5 Mi. E efw Campfire Ranger efw Campfire Ranger E Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 29,645 Likes: 5 Mi. Originally Posted by Smokewagon I have killed a lot of deer with my 243 and one with my 25-06 since buying it last year. There ya go; 25-06 it is! I'd use 115 NBT tho.

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Lawdwaz #9435294 12/18/14 Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,138 Likes: 9 Banana Belt, Montana M Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna Mule Deer Campfire Kahuna M Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 60,138 Likes: 9 Banana Belt, Montana Lawdaz, Or maybe not, since he's asking for other opinions. “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Mule Deer #9435302 12/18/14 Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,723 Baker, MT L laker Campfire Tracker laker Campfire Tracker L Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,723 Baker, MT Flip a coin but Ive always had a soft spot for a 25-06 for some reason.

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Mule Deer #9435306 12/18/14 Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 415 Lake Hartwell, SC P Paul_C Campfire Member Paul_C Campfire Member P Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 415 Lake Hartwell, SC I don't think either fits the bill. Great excuse to buy a new rifle As far as the SST's I've killed 2 whitetail at 50-80 yards w 165gr SST Hornady Superformance loads and they performed admirably both times. Bang flops w quarter sized exits... Last edited by Paul_C; 12/18/14.

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer Smokewagon #9435502 12/18/14 Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 7,126 Texas S StrayDog Campfire Tracker StrayDog Campfire Tracker S Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 7,126 Texas I'd rather use the 25-06, its not like its going to kick you much. On a sunny day in west Texas most people way under estimate the distance. So include a laser range finder. Happy Hunting

Re: 243 or 25-06 for mule deer laker #9435848 12/19/14 Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 3,424 MN B bucktail Campfire Tracker bucktail Campfire Tracker B Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 3,424 MN He's taken more deer with his 243. If you love someone set them free If they come back no one else liked them Set them free again